Whoever Calls for War Goes!

Dawn had barely broken, and a bitter wind howled across the small square outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The civil and military officials waiting for court stood in rows, their heads hunched like quails, yet their eyes remained fixed expectantly on the hall as they awaited the emperor's arrival.

It was truly freezing that day. Dark clouds blanketed the sky, threatening snow. The wind cut across their faces like knives, and bone-chilling cold pierced their thick clothing, burrowing straight into the cracks between their bones.

Why hasn't His Majesty arrived yet?

The courtiers grumbled inwardly, desperately missing the warm bedding in their residences, along with piping-hot soup and refreshments.

At long last, the ceremonial whip cracked. The courtiers thundered their cries of "Long live Your Majesty," and morning court formally began.

Seated on the imperial throne, Zhu Youjian looked at the dense throng of civil and military officials before him and could not help feeling a little excited.

Court assemblies depicted in television dramas of later generations usually took place inside a grand hall, with a dozen or so ministers who dispersed once business was finished. Actual Ming Dynasty court assemblies, however, were called "hearing government at the imperial gate" and took place here before the Hall of Supreme Harmony, with every minister standing in the square outside.

The civil officials formed one group, the military officials another, and the capital's hereditary nobles a third, including imperial sons-in-law and fathers-in-law.

Once the officials of the Court of State Ceremonial finished "chanting" the ceremonial formulas, a cough sounded among the courtiers.

Before presenting a memorial, a minister had to cough as a warning, lest several men step forward at once and disrupt the proceedings. This was also called "clearing the way."

"Your Majesty, I have a matter to report!" The man who stepped forward was Huang Daozhou, deputy director of the Palace Secretariat and concurrently a reader-in-waiting of the Hanlin Academy.

Zhu Youjian had studied Huang Daozhou as well. As an official, he was loyal to his sovereign and cared for the people, a rare good minister in the late Ming Dynasty, and he had also achieved considerable distinction in calligraphy and painting. After the fall of the Southern Ming court, he had even raised troops to fight the Jurchen himself, ultimately dying for his cause.

Yet the man was also far too pedantic and rigidly upright. He never knew how to approach anything indirectly, much less read another person's expression. He dared offend even the emperor with his words, all for the sake of keeping his conscience clear.

Seeing him step forward now, Zhu Youjian was curious about what he would say and raised a hand to signal him to continue.

Huang Daozhou glanced at Yang Sichang and said, "Since Yang Sichang was recalled from mourning to enter the Grand Secretariat, no son under heaven need honor his father, nor need any man remain loyal to his sovereign. Even if men of talent are desperately scarce, we cannot allow this disloyal, unfilial man to defile the realm!"

Zhu Youjian was taken aback. Although Huang Daozhou's talent was praised throughout the realm, he was merely a fifth-rank official, yet he dared impeach a grand secretary before the entire court. He certainly had nerve!

Still, Yang Sichang's recall from mourning to enter the Grand Secretariat had happened quite some time ago. Huang Daozhou's decision to bring it up now surely involved more than the recall itself. Otherwise, why had he not impeached Lu Xiangsheng as well?

"That is mistaken." Fang Fengnian, the minister of rites, gave a "cough" and stepped forward. "Your Majesty, since ancient times, it has been said that loyalty and filial duty cannot both be fulfilled. Yang Sichang accepted his appointment in a time of crisis. Though he could not fulfill his filial duty, he fulfilled his loyalty and righteousness. His Four-Sided Net strategy has indeed dealt the Rebel Bandits a heavy blow!"

Zhu Youjian looked toward Yang Sichang and saw him standing motionless with his hands lowered. At that distance, he could not make out the expression on his face, but his posture alone made it seem as though Huang Daozhou and Fang Fengnian were discussing something that had nothing to do with him.

"Hmph." Huang Daozhou cast a scornful sidelong glance at the two men. "In my view, Yang Sichang is no exceptional talent. His proposals to cast nets, extend their reach across territories, and negotiate peace offer a glimpse of his abilities. We must never make peace with the Jurchen. Such peace cannot be achieved, and even if achieved, it cannot endure. Only resolute resistance can secure lasting peace and stability!"

At last, he's come to his real purpose!

A faint smile tugged at Yang Sichang's lips as he inwardly derided Huang Daozhou as a mediocrity. No wonder he was still only a fifth-rank official at his age. Without His Majesty's approval, how could peace negotiations ever proceed? Bringing this up before the throne now was slapping His Majesty in the face!

I'll have to get His Majesty out of this awkward position!

With that thought, Yang Sichang stepped forward and said, "During the Eastern Han, the eight tribes of the Xiongnu installed Chanyu Huhanye, who sought peace with the Han, and Emperor Guangwu agreed. In the first year of Emperor Xianzong of Tang's reign, Tian Xing of Hebei's Weibo Circuit requested permission to surrender, and Emperor Xianzong also consented. In the Fourth Year of Taiping Xingguo, the Song raised an army to destroy the Northern Han and campaign against the Khitan, only to suffer defeat after defeat. Prime Minister Qi Xian submitted a memorial saying, 'A sage acts only with complete assurance. He must attend to the root before the branches; only after securing peace within can he repel threats without.'"

"The distinction between the barbarians and our civilization must be upheld! Your Majesty must never heed him!" Huang Daozhou held his head high as he addressed Zhu Youjian.

"According to you, then, we must not negotiate peace? And as for this distinction between barbarians and our civilization, was Genghis Khan not a barbarian? Did they not crush the great Song and rule the realm for a hundred and thirty-five years? If we follow your advice and refuse negotiations, who will defend the frontier? Who will repel the enemy? You?"

Neither cringing nor arrogant, Huang Daozhou continued, "I am a pedantic scholar and know nothing of military affairs, but I am a minister who speaks honest remonstrance. Hong Chengchou and Sun Chuanting both possess the talents of commanders!"

"And what of the Rebel Bandits?" Yang Sichang pressed him immediately. "If they go to fight the Jurchen, who will defend against the Rebel Bandits?"

"Grand Secretary Yang, you understand warfare and possess talent. Have you not firmly advocated securing peace within before repelling threats without? Naturally, you should shoulder the duty of exterminating the Rebel Bandits without yielding it to anyone!" Huang Daozhou smiled faintly and swept a glance over Yang Sichang, his eyes filled with contempt.

Zhu Youjian was naturally very pleased with Huang Daozhou's honest remonstrance. Yet for the sake of the plan he and Lu Xiangsheng had devised, he still feigned anger and barked, "The decision to negotiate peace has been made. There is no need to discuss it further!"

"Your Majesty-" Ignoring Yang Sichang's triumphant expression, Huang Daozhou turned back to speak again, but the emperor cut him off as soon as those two words left his mouth.

"Whoever calls for war goes! Stand down!" Zhu Youjian's expression turned cold. However indignant Huang Daozhou felt, he could only close his mouth and retreat to his place, his chest heaving and his entire face flushed crimson.